I’m Arts and Entertainment Committee Chair.  

We had strong, bipartisan support for AB 1696 when it came before the committee for many of the economic reasons you just heard.

But there was another reason: while committee members may differ from issue to issue, one thing is clear: we all believe that arts and entertainment-related education must be improved. 

We know that all of a student’s skills are improved and influenced by learning arts and entertainment related skills. 

Art helps with science.  Music helps with math.  And so on.

AB 1696 is not just about movie studios; it's about writers, sound engineers, musicians and make-up artists.  

It's about the physics of set design and the chemistry of color. It's about the computer skills needed to make Spiderman stick to walls

One of the main reasons that we want to improve arts and entertainment education is the same reason why we want to pass this bill: economic growth for California.

A study released this week by the Americans For Arts, found the nonprofit arts industry generates $166.2 billion in economic activity every year, resulting in $29.6 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues nationwide.

The MPAA estimated that motion picture payroll and purchases generated over $32 billion in 2002 in California. (The last year they had full data)

By preserving the entertainment industry in California, we can help motivate improvements in the arts and education related programs at schools, occupational centers and universities to help deliver a skilled workforce that is primed for productivity.

The best way to tell schools that this legislature is committed to arts related education is for us to make a commitment to support our arts related economy.

This bill sets the tone for California to move toward substantial improvements in both education and the economy.

That’s what the Arts and Entertainment Committee is working toward.

That’s why I support this bill.